More drone sightings in border villages

Our Correspondent

Ferozepur, October 9

With speculation being rife about the use of drones by Pak agencies to airdrop sophisticated arms in the state, border residents spotted two more drone-like objects at Hazara Singh Wala and Tindi Wala villages on Tuesday night.

The sightings came a day after BSF troopers spotted drones five times. Of the drones seen on Monday, one had ventured a kilometre inside the border.

While residents are alarmed over the development, the security forces are continuing combing operations in the area.

When contacted, Baljit Singh, SP (Detective), said a joint team of the BSF and Punjab Police, including 150 SWAT Team members, carried out an extensive search in the area, but nothing was found.

The SP said the security forces were taking no chances and all precautions were being taken.

Sources said the BSF had reportedly lodged a protest about the sightings with Pakistani counterpart during a flag meeting on Tuesday. However, Pakistan Rangers ruled out any link to the incident.

In another development, DC Chander Gaind has banned the use of drone in any function in the district. The order said the use of a drone for videography in any wedding, public, religious or social function in Ferozepur and villages near the border was prohibited.

9 KZF activists sent to judicial custody  

• Amritsar: A local court on Wednesday sent nine alleged members of a terror module of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) into judicial custody after the expiry of their police remand. 
• They would be produced before a special court of the National Investigation Agency in Mohali on October 11.  Sources said now the NIA would carry out further investigation in the case.